Stories from Friday, March 3, 2017

LINCOLN, Neb. -- The Dundy-County Stratton girls dominated Heartland, 48-31, in today's Class D-1 state semifinal which means they will play for a championship on Saturday. Undefeated DC-S (27-0) will play No. 1 seed Guardian Angels Central Catholic of West Point at 11 a.m. in Lincoln's Pinnacle Bank Center...

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Who knew football coach and activities director Michael Spargo would get pulled into the aftermath of Thursday's Dundy County-Stratton state basketball game? "All our work in the weight room has really paid off," Tiger senior Aubrey Frederick declared. "And we have our weight coach, Mr. Spargo, to thank for that. We needed it (all that strength) today."...

Robert D. Dyer March 20, 1971 - March 2, 2017 ARAPAHOE, Neb. -- Robert D. Dyer, 45, of Arapahoe, died Thursday (March 2, 2017), at his home. He was born March 20, 1971, at Lewistown, Mont., to Darrell and Bonnie (Wombold) Dyer. He graduated from Winifred High School in 1989. ...

MCCOOK, Neb. -- McCook National Bank is celebrating its 110th anniversary by awarding $110 donations to local service groups, community organizations and charities. The donation recipients will be selected from employee nominations and awarded throughout the year...

90th birthday Art Koetter of McCook is celebrating his 90th birthday on Sunday, March 5, 2017. His family is hosting a card shower and cake reception on Saturday, March 11, 2017, at the Heritage Senior Center in McCook, 1 to 3 p.m. Celebrating with Art are his daughters, Pam Sellers, Barb Brown and Gloria Barron, all of McCook and Carri (Todd) Case of York, Neb. He has 9 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. Cards of congratulations will reach him at 718 West 5th, McCook, NE 69001...

90th birthday The family of Maraglee Ruf of Wilsonville, Neb., is requesting a card shower in honor of her 90th birthday on Saturday, March 11, 2017. Her family includes children, Pat and Chuck Brashears of Kearney Neb., Deanna and Mark Hankins of McCook, Neb.; David and Margaret Ruf of Wilsonville, Nancy Van Duyne of Salina, Kan., Dannette and Gary Fander of Beatrice, Neb., Danny Ruf of Wilsonville, Cindy and Jeff Bolin of Albion, Neb., Tammy Solomon of McCook, Claudia and Rick Fredrick of Alda, Neb.; 15 grand children and 24 great-grandchildren. ...

Margot Reiley Howard Ryan and Heather Howard of Lincoln, Neb., announce the birth of their daughter, Margot Reiley Howard, born Feb. 17, 2017, at Bryan East in Lincoln. She weighed 7 pounds, 11 ounces and measured 19 inches long. She has two sisters, Hailey, 11, and Aubrey, 9, and one brother, Abram, 19 months. Grandparents are Rick and Betty Michaelsen of McCook, Neb., Louise Howard of Fremont, Neb., and the late Joseph Howard...

Thanks to Marilyn Anderjaska, I have more information about the Enright family in McCook. Apparently one child, Neil F., became a priest which was why within the small trunk there was a picture of a very handsome young priest. In February 1952, there was a picture and article featuring Chaplain (Captain) Neil F. ...

Have you received one of those "can you hear me now?" calls? Scammers, supposedly, want to have a recording of you saying "yes" so they can bill you for a product or service you really didn't order. So far, there are no confirmed cases of that actually happening...

It's not always easy to create meals that are both nutritious and satisfying. Managing intake of added sugar and saturated fat takes effort and planning, but transforming your favorite recipes into more nutritious family meals can be simpler than you imagined...

McCOOK, Neb. -- City leaders are hoping to increase hangar fees at McCook Ben Nelson Regional Airport, as well as crack down on tenants with a history of non-payment. During Monday's regularly scheduled meeting, 6:30 p.m. at the Municipal Center, City Council will consider approving a resolution increasing hangar rent by 10 percent effective immediately and an additional 3 percent annually going forward. ...

McCOOK, Neb. -- A plea agreement was reached last month in Red Willow County District Court with one of two men that escaped from the McCook Work Ethic Camp in December. The man, 20-year-old Andrew L. Russell, was subsequently scheduled for sentencing at 9:15 a.m. on April 3, 2017, on a Class 3 felony for escape when under arrest on a felony charge...

Nebraska Department of Corrections Work Ethics Camp inmates Michael Overgaard, foreground, and William Sheldon help load boxes from the Bargain Bazaar thrift shop in downtown McCook into a Catholic Social Services (CSS) truck from Hastings Tuesday morning. ...

INDIANOLA, Neb. -- Call Gus as your first course of action, not as your last resort. When Gus, the dopey-looking, floppy-eared, lovable black-and-tan bloodhound, puts his nose to the ground, he'll most likely find that trophy deer you shot and then lost track of...

Tiger Woods was, at one time, the greatest golfer in the world; some say the greatest athlete in the world. He didn't defeat fields of other excellent golfers, he destroyed them. He won tournaments by double-digit scores. The other professional golfers averaged one whole stroke worse when Tiger was in the field than when he wasn't. The reason for that was pure intimidation. Because he was so dominant and his game was so strong, most other golfers simply didn't think they could beat him...

McCOOK, Neb. -- The Hooked for Life fishing ministry has a full slate of activities set for this summer. The nonprofit organization is devoted to sharing Jesus Christ with children and families through the sport of fishing. Events are set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day April 8 at Barnett Park, May 6 at Harry Strunk Lake, June 3 at Hugh Butler Lake, July 8 at Harry Strunk Lake and Sept. 9 at Barnett Park. An Aug. 19 event is set for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m...

George Huff of McCook displays the 151⁄4-channel cat he caught Feb. 9 at Hugh Butler Lake north of McCook. ( Courtesy photo)

R.B. Headley Gazette Sports Editor LINCOLN, Neb. -- Coach Jarod Albers' bright orange state tournament pants were perfect considering how Cambridge Trojans came out on fire Thursday night. With senior Alea Shaner scoring 10 points in the first quarter, Cambridge shot ahead 17-10 against returning C-2 state finalist Howells-Dodge...

There is nothing to do in this town. It doesn't matter the size of the town, it doesn't matter the location of the town, it doesn't matter if the town has a Chuck E. Cheese on every street corner...this mantra has been repeated by kids for generations...